Party reviews decision-making process after membership triples

Senior party officials are examining ways to update internal structures after membership more than tripled. The review follows the increase from about 68,000 members to more than 230,000. Under the existing model, only members present at one of two annual conferences can vote on policy. Some officials say this arrangement gives greater influence to those who can travel and take time off work.

Possible changes under review One option under discussion would allow local groups to select delegates who would vote on behalf of absent members. Another would keep one-member voting but add an online option. A party official noted that the current system now involves roughly 1,000 people out of 230,000 rather than 1,000 out of 68,000.

Another official said 0.05 percent of members currently decide policy positions.

Conference logistics and leadership role The same individual has handled conference logistics for about 20 years; additional staff were added only this year. Officials said limited resources have made it harder to manage the larger membership. Some officials also said the leader’s role, which carries one vote on a roughly two-dozen-member executive committee, may need adjustment for a party now polling at 19 percent nationally.

Others said members would resist giving the leader broader authority without conference approval. A separate discussion concerns how the party should respond after winning a recent by-election and with a national figure now serving as prime minister.